Contract Background Section:

This project is a small-scale supplementation initiative designed to increase the survival of a weak but recoverable spawning aggregate of summer chinook salmon.  The goal of this project is to prevent the extirpation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Johnson Creek summer chinook and begin their recovery through supplementation.  This project is permitted by the NOAA Fisheries to rear up to 110,000 chinook salmon smolts each year for release back into Johnson Creek from 2006 through 2010.  This level of supplementation will be evaluated during this period to determine the success of the spawning supplementation adult salmon.  Supplementation under this project is planned for a minimum of five (5) salmon generations or 25 years.

The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project (JCAPE) is identified in the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion in RPA Hatchery Strategy 2, Action 41 – Implement Safety Net Programs to Preserve Genetic Resources and Reduce Short-term Extinction Risk. Specifically, for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook.  It is further stated in this RPA to fund the Johnson Creek/South Fork Salmon River safety net supplementation program, as described in the existing Section 10 permit.  This action funds the actual implementation, operation, and monitoring of a safety net project.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement project, a safety net project, utilizes existing hatchery facilities (McCall Fish Hatchery) to conduct salmon supplementation of up to 110,000 smolts per year.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project is the only chinook salmon supplementation project in the Salmon River Basin.  The Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project has been issued an ESA Section 10 permit (Permit number 1250) by NOAA Fisheries to conduct salmon supplementation activities through 2010.

This contract will provide funds to:
·        Conduct Salmon Supplementation of the Johnson Creek Summer Chinook Salmon, a safety net program;
·        Provide for administrative oversight of the project; and
·        Share project results through Reports and Presentations

In 2009, installation and operation of a temporary adult chinook salmon weir and trap will continue with the collection of brood stock for use in the Johnson Creek Artificial Propagation Enhancement Project.  Juvenile salmon (smolts) from the 2007 brood year will be released back into Johnson Creek in March of 2009.  Juvenile salmon from the 2008 brood year will continue to be reared at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  These fish will be marked with CWT and VIE tags in the later part of the year.

-         Operate adult salmon trap on Johnson Creek.
-         Collect and spawn up to 40 pairs of adult salmon.
-         Release 89,000 brood year 2007 smolts back into Johnson Creek.  Brood stock collection target fell short in 2007 because trapping activities were suspended for four days due to wildfire activities adjacent to the trap site.
-         Rear up to 110,000 brood year 2008 juveniles at the McCall Fish Hatchery.
-         Update Annual Operating Plan and submit to NOAA Fisheries prior to adult salmon trapping season.
-         Prepare Brood Year 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Adult Trapping Report.
-         Begin ESA Section 10 Permit renewal process that will cover activities beyond 2010.

Since 1998, salmon supplementation has been occurring on Johnson Creek.  This action was taken to begin the recovery of the Johnson Creek spawning aggregate.  The JCAPE project has worked with the Idaho Department of Fish and game (IDFG) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  (USFWS) to rear a limited number of smolts each year at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  The JCAPE project is allowed to rear up to 110,000 Johnson Creek smolts to at the McCall Fish Hatchery.  Brood stock has been collected in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  Smolts from brood stock collection have been released in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.  The O&M program is currently rearing fish from brood years from 2007 and 2008.